Petition tries to save territory’s tuna industry

PAGO PAGO – A new grassroots movement in American Samoa is hoping to collect 10,000 signatures in a bid to help save the local tuna industry.

The move comes after the announcement that the Starkist cannery is considering moving some production off-island due to rising costs.

The movement’s leader says the territory is at a precipice and is calling on US President Barack Obama to help save the local canneries.

Kathy Pilimai told Radio New Zealand’s Pacific beat the canneries’ departure would have a catastrophic domino effect on the economy.

“Everyone is hearing about the situation of the canneries. The restrictions Samoa has placed on our tuna fleet, and the most recent article from the Tuna Boat Association.

“We’re urgently pleading for the federal government to help the US fleet. And this has really left an underlying fear in the community, what are we going to do?

“And we know that our congresswoman has been fighting hard, and really against impossible, incredible odds.

“So we admire her determination, her passion, her selflessness. But she needs to have all of us to stand behind her, in one collective voice, and be able to gather as many signatures as we can for this petition.

“Which we’re looking to get at least 10,000 and, our population is around 65,000 so that is, you know, not asking much to support her in her efforts to keep and sustain our way of life here in the territory.

“American Samoa has had the tuna industry here for over 50 years and subsequently businesses were formed around the tuna industry.

“And it made, I guess ,more of a spotlight on this little island because the boats came and people came and jobs were created and you know that is why we are where we’re at today, with the private sector anyway.

“And that’s why it’s just so important. If they do decide to leave, this would have a catastrophic domino effect on the economy because everyone knows it’s the private sector that employs the people, that makes money, that pays the taxes and keeps everything moving forward.”

Pilimai said there has been a great response so far from people asked to sign the petition.

“The response has been tremendous, I have to say.

“They all know, we’re at the precipice if we don’t do anything, it’s just not going to be good for all of us.

“I’m looking at the businesses with the younger generation and their children and everything so they have a future. And that there isn’t a mass exodus that will occur when the economy goes.”

The petition is being circulated to businesses, churches and community groups with a deadline of November 27.